Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1887-03-10
THE CLOSING HOURS
THE FoRTY-NINTH CONGRESS-
The Administration Of tho Mugwump Pres
dent--The General Denciancy Appro-
priation BnifaIls Of sienature,
and n Number Of Other
Important Bills
Fail. Ur

noon to-day. A Democratic House has
failed to follow him in most of the recon.
mendations which from time to time he
has laid before 1t. This House has also
failed In a large degree in what it marked
out for itself when the Congress began.
There is wide food for thought in these
matters for all Republicans, and 1t will
interest them to inquire to what extent
these things show the Democratic party
to be unable to efficiently conduct the af.
fairs of Government Both houses work.
ed rapidly toward close of the business.
There was considerable confusion, aris-
ing from the fact that nearly every mem
Der was interested in procuring recogni-
ton for some bill involving the interest
of his constituents, but their was no
drunkenness, noungentlemanly conduct.
The most exciting contest Of the night
session, which appeared only in part on
the floor, was the bitter contest and coul. &.
ageous course of the House copferees
upon the real estate jobs IN The District
bill. Et
The failure of the fortifcation bill was
announced in the House at an early hour,
and Senator Hoar on the one side and
Representative Butterworth on the other
made fun explanation of the obstacles
which had been placed in the way Of all
reasonable and much important appro-
priation for the matter Of general public
interest by the Democrats on the confer.
ence committees There were none TO
deny that these gentlemen had placed the
responsibility where it belonged, and it
was astonishing to witness the composure
with which such leaders as Randall and
Holman accepted this responsibility and
seemed to glory in their worki upon the
theory that the saving Of q few millions
in the total of appropriation would seem
Of more consequence to the voters of the
country than the practical preparation for
the defense Of our seaboard cities.
In the contest over the naval bill the
same difficulties were reported by the Re.
publican confercasrand while more liber
al propositions were agreed upon in the
consideration Of ffhis bill SIN its provi-
sions fall far short of what the wises
men in each party believe to be required
by the best interests Of the Nation.
While attempt was made TO show tina
the sums appropriated were greater thar
they should be, it was sufficient answer tt
explain that the appropriations named ex
tended over series of five or six years
or were made necessary by the fact tha
private firms could not be induced to pro
vide the expensive plans necessary to be
gin the work of furnishing heavy arma,
ment unless they could be assured Of con
tinuing the contract which would justif,
the enormous investments required at til
start.
There is another feature of this bill
which may well seem astonishing. Will
a Republican Senate and the Republican
of the House stood ready to vote sum
ranging from fifty to eighty millions int
the hands of Democratic Adminlstra
tion, the opponents Of these measures an
those who finally defeated them, assume
to be leaders in the Democratic party.
At ten minutes to II, in spite Of all tn
hard work which had been In progre,
almost unintcrruptedly for forty -eigl
hours, it was found that two large apprt
priation bills, to.wit: the District of c.
lumbia and the deficiency bill, with minc
matters of very considerable importanc
would unavoidably fail unless the Pres
dent conld be induced to come to the Cal
itol and sign such as could be made read
for him.
AT this hour telegram was therefo
sent to the White House representing Il
situation as urgent, and that his present
was absolutely demanded by the intere
Of the public business. 1t is curio,
commentary upon the present methods
administration that the most prominel
. Democrats in Congress were exceeding
, doubtful whether the President would r
; spond to this message and make his a
. pearance. However, he telegraphed tn
! he would attend. s
4 1t was o strange scene--this waiting 4
0 the President under such circumstances
in the corridor back of the Senate Char
Der and about the doors Of the President
J. room. SenatorsSherman and Saulsbur
t with Representatives Tucker, Morrist
and Republican member from the Hou
were appointed 10 wait upon him and al
\ II he had any further communication
I make TO Congress
Q This committee met in the lobby In re
Of the Senate chamber. and waited fol
o full half hour. Many Senators came o
!, and Joined them, and number OF Repl
. resentatives and quito concourse
: those having adlaisslonto these privi
: rooms of the Senate. 4E ~ Ie
|, At twelve minutes to noon he had n
r arrived, and Captain Bassett. the venel
d BILE doorkeeper Of the Senate, as he h
!, often done In Years in similar emerge
i cies, walked deliberately across 4
Chamber from Ills seat by the presidl
4 officer, placed d chair under the cloS
i, and reaching with long hook stit
which appeared as II It had seen servl
!. for something like half atccnl,iry, in I
"a face Of the entire Senate and crowded 6
leries, he,iurned the hands Of the clio
= back to twenty three minutes To IL.
But still tho committee waited and 81
al Captain Bassett watched the clock, q
;, sull no President appeared. The III
" ran on, dragging heavily under the STIR
Of such waiting while important me-
ures hung upon tho Presidents appe
ance.